Construction well under way on Phase I of Loyola's facilities master plan

In January, Loyola University New Orleans embarked on Phase I of a facilities master plan for the university, which includes $35 million in infrastructure improvements and renovations designed to relieve space constraints and assist the university in managing future growth. Construction around campus has been progressing on schedule and planning for phase two is already under way.

The facilities master plan is part of a broader strategic plan titled, Loyola 2012, which strives to improve student retention at the university and enhance its Jesuit values and reputation among peer colleges and universities. There are three phases of the facilities master plan, which will guide the university over the next several years in making improvements to the campus.

“This plan reflects Loyola’s commitment to a thriving, growing residential campus,” said the Rev. Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., Ph.D., university president. “We are really looking forward to the results, which will further accentuate the utility and beauty of our campus.”

Phase I projects currently underway include improvements to utilities and HVAC services across campus, as well as the renovation and expansion of Thomas Hall. Upon its expected completion in January 2011, Thomas Hall will provide students and prospective students a one-stop-shop administrative building, housing the offices of admissions, financial aid, the bursar, student records and student finance. A two-floor addition to West Road Garage is also under construction to alleviate parking constraints on and around campus. This project is expected to wrap up by April 2011 and will provide 236 more parking spaces.

On the Broadway campus, renovations have just begun on the Dominican Conference Center, which will eventually house existing offices from the College of Law, including the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice.

The university has also begun the first steps in Phase II of the facilities plan, hiring the architecture firms for the projects. The major pieces of Phase II include the renovation of Monroe Hall and the creation of a new student center and residence hall. Holabird & Root of Chicago and local firm Holly & Smith will design the Monroe Hall project while Kell-Muñoz of San Antonio and Mathes Brierre of New Orleans are in charge of the student center and residence hall project.

A proposal for construction of phase two projects will be brought before the university’s Board of Trustees for approval in May 2011. If approved, the university will move forward to borrow funds needed to begin that phase of construction, which is expected to cost $75 million to complete. Phase III will include the remaining improvements needed for Monroe Hall, initially begun with Phase II funding, as well as other facilities, such as a new home for the College of Social Sciences and a renovation of the Sports Complex.

According to Wildes, the improvements to Loyola’s facilities will help to support students and faculty in their work. “We believe these improvements will enable the university to better fulfill its Jesuit mission to educate the whole person by increasing our residential population,” he said.

To keep up with latest on the construction progress, view our Construction Notes blog. For additional information, contact Meredith Hartley, director of the Office of Public Affairs and External Relations, at mhartley@loyno.edu or 504-722-6078.